Care to Care: Tips for Living With Parents With Dementia

More than 55 million people currently live with dementia. It’s a struggle many aren’t prepared for, and one that those around them often struggle with too.

If you’re living with parents with dementia, you may be wondering how to help them live their best lives.

Here’s what to remember. 

Make the Home Safe

Making the home safe is key when it comes to how to live with parents with dementia. Dementia manifests differently in everyone, but there are many ways someone might cause an accident or put themselves in danger (such as leaving the oven on, forgetting how to operate equipment, etc.).

There are many devices you can buy that have safety and anti-fire features inbuilt, as well as devices with timers — for example, ones that will shut off after a certain amount of time with no use.

This can help to reduce risk. 

Watch Out for Their Physical Needs

When living with parents with dementia, it’s important to think about their physical needs as well as their mental ones. The two are often related. Dementia can often progress to them having trouble with dressing themselves, eating, or other tasks they once thought of as basic daily life. 

Make sure you keep up with them and help them with what they need, as they may be too embarrassed to say anything. 

Take Care of Yourself

When living with parents with dementia, you might spend so much time taking care of them that you forget to take care of yourself.

Don’t let this happen! It’s essential you keep up with your own self-care too. Otherwise, how will you help your parents out if you’re not at the top of your own game?

If you have a partner, kids, or any family of your own, don’t let them fall by the wayside. Spend time with them and make sure you make time for your own hobbies too.

Discuss Home Care When Necessary

If you’ve assumed dementia guardianship but everything is a little too hard for you to handle, don’t feel bad about bringing in some professional help.

You may have kids, a career, and other responsibilities to focus on or you may just be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the severity. In this case, you definitely shouldn’t feel bad about bringing on outside help.

Know that there are plenty of resources to help you find the care that’s right for you and your parents.

Living With Parents With Dementia Can Be Hard

Living with parents with dementia can be hard. Above all else, it’s important to know how to keep them safe and reduce the risk by providing them with a safe environment.

If you do have to seek professional help, know that you’re doing what’s best for them and helping them to live a comfortable and happy life.

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